On February 22, 2008, at 10am EST, Dr. Noel Perin, an internationally known neurosurgeon at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City who specializes in disorders of the spine, will perform a METRx Micro Endoscopic Discectomy to treat a herniated lumbar spinal disc, which can cause severe lower pack pain, on www.OR-Live.com

The METRx Micro Endoscopic Discectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that can provide relief of this severe back pain with minimum surgical trauma, and a quick return to normal activities.

The METRx Micro Endoscopic Discectomy involves inserting a needle, guided by low-dose X-ray, to the level of the herniated disc. Once the disc level is precisely located, the needle is removed and a 16-18mm incision is made. Dilating tubes, increasing in size, are then passed through the incision to displace—not cut—the muscles, creating a small "tunnel" that the surgeon can use to access the herniated disk and remove the herniated portion pressing on the nerve. At the end of the procedure, when the working tube is removed, the displaced muscle falls back into its natural location. Displacing the muscles instead of cutting through them to access the herniated disc eliminates surgical trauma to the muscle and dramatically reduces recovery time. The entire procedure generally takes about 1-1/2 hours.

Visit www.OR-Live.com now to learn more and view a program preview. This program will be archived for 24.7 on-demand access following the live broadcast.